3. MAG Ireland information sheet on group riding

The following are some basic principles to make travelling as a group on motorcycles easier and safer.
· Appoint a Group Leader who knows where he/she is going and who rides in front, and a Tail-Ender who rides at the rear. In between put the least experienced riders and smaller bikes towards the front and ride at their pace.
· The leader should try to avoid splitting the group as this necessitates overtaking to get the group together again. This means the leader should not filter between lanes or overtake unless absolutely necessary and should not go through traffic lights about to turn red.
· Ride in a staggered formation. If the leader rides the right side of the lane, then the second bike rides towards the left, the third to the right and so on.
· If there is a large group of riders, consider splitting up into groups of no more than five.
· Allow a two-second interval between you and the bike directly ahead of you. Ride smoothly without any swapping back and forth.
· Don`t be a lemming. You, not the group leader, are riding your bike. Do your own checks for traffic and other hazards - don`t just blindly follow. If someone in your group pulls onto the shoulder and stops, don't follow. Stay with the group. The tail end bike is designated by the leader to stop and help.
· In parking, the leader will try to find an area big enough for everyone. If he can`t, find your own.
· The leader appreciates your suggestions but not while travelling. If you know of an interesting place or route, say it in advance.
· The destination point should be decided before departing and stops should be agreed. Maps and mobiles are useful if you get separated from the group.
· Make sure your petrol tank is full and everything else is taken care of before you go. Top up your tank at every fuel stop whether you need it or not.
· Stay within the bounds of your skill level. Don`t be influenced by the bike ahead of you diving into curves. Group riding is neither a race nor a competition.
· In large convoys of bike the leader should average 40mph if the rear is to have any chance of safely keeping up. The elastic effect means that the rearmost rider may need to travel at twice the speed of the frontmost to stay with the group.
· If you don`t feel comfortable riding in a group, ride on your own.
Disclaimer:
This information sheet is provided free of charge as a service to motorcycling. MAG Ireland cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions. Last updated 2001-02 Approved by NEC: 2001-03